Okeechobee vs Kissimmee

[Hudson McLean]

Me and two buddies were planning on making a trip down to one of these lakes and renting a boat to fish. This will be our first time fishing either of these lakes. Where would you recommend going in late July or early August? 

[Dwight Hottle]

Go to Kissimmee for a better shot at a DD and the big O is really low water levels making navigation dangerous if you don’t know the lake. 

[RoLo]

Based on FWC tabulation (about 12 mos old), the number of double-digit bass were as follows:

 

Lake Kissimmee:                                 145

Kingsley Lake                                      134 (Florida’s top trophy lake, but restricted)

Rodman Reservoir                                83

Lake Istokpoga                                    81

Lake Okeechobee                                 61

Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho)              51 (Retains the B.A.S.S. 1-day stringer record)

 

The Big-K comprises 35,000 acres, whereas the Big-O comprises 450,000 acres.

Okeechobee is not even close to Kissimmee (Too far south)

 

Roger

[Hudson McLean]

32 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

Go to Kissimmee for a better shot at a DD and the big O is really low water levels making navigation dangerous if you don’t know the lake. 

I would have thought that because the summer is the rainy time of the year, it would be higher than normal making it a better time to learn the lake. Is that not how its going to work out though?

 

11 minutes ago, RoLo said:

Based on FWC tabulation (about 12 mos old), the number of double-digit bass were as follows:

 

Lake Kissimmee:                                 145

Kingsley Lake                                      134 (Florida’s top trophy lake, but restricted)

Rodman Reservoir                                83

Lake Istokpoga                                    81

Lake Okeechobee                                 61

Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho)              51 (Retains the B.A.S.S. 1-day stringer record)

 

The Big-K comprises 35,000 acres, whereas the Big-O comprises 450,000 acres.

Okeechobee is not even close to Kissimmee (Too far south)

 

Roger

I live in venice florida so that right in between them. It will  be a two hour drive no matter which one i choose. Thanks or that table! It looks like im going to kissimmee. Do you do a lot of flipping and worms around the grass or more lipless for schooling fish in the summer on kissimmee?

[RoLo]

24 minutes ago, Hudson McLean said:

I would have thought that because the summer is the rainy time of the year, it would be higher than normal making it a better time to learn the lake. Is that not how its going to work out though?

 

I live in venice florida so that right in between them. It will  be a two hour drive no matter which one i choose. Thanks or that table! It looks like im going to kissimmee. Do you do a lot of flipping and worms around the grass or more lipless for schooling fish in the summer on kissimmee?

 

On balance, Florida's rainy season is June, July & August (in descending order)

In any event, lake levels change a whole lot faster than trophy status.

 

From Venice (bottom of Lake Wales Ridge) it might take you 2 hours, at the most.

 

Yes, it's a flipping & pitching paradise, and plastic worms are high on the list (As they are on any waterbody)

 

I might add, 'maidencane' (Kissimmee grass) is the favorite plant of the pro guides.

Nonetheless, my favorite weed is 'spatterdock', the lily pads suspended above the water surface.

Good luck

 

[Dwight Hottle]

48 minutes ago, Hudson McLean said:

I would have thought that because the summer is the rainy time of the year, it would be higher than normal making it a better time to learn the lake. Is that not how its going to work out though?

 

I live in venice florida so that right in between them. It will  be a two hour drive no matter which one i choose. Thanks or that table! It looks like im going to kissimmee. Do you do a lot of flipping and worms around the grass or more lipless for schooling fish in the summer on kissimmee?

Summer is the rainy season but lake O was drawn down last year to help prevent the red tide bloom that was discharging into the river systems. The lake is still historically low. 

[N Florida Mike]

1 hour ago, RoLo said:

Kingsley Lake                                      134 (Florida’s top trophy lake, but restricted)

Good to see Kingsley on the list. I’ve fished it once. Very deep, clear lake. I’m told now it’s no access unless you’re  military or live on it.

A resident told me he trolls rattle traps around at night and does well. A 15+ was caught out there fairly recently.

[RoLo]

Right you are, Kingsley is a sinkhole lake with a max depth around 90 feet.

Its perimeter is a near-perfect circle, which doesn't keep that a secret.
Since I've known Kingsley, it's been restricted to landowners and the military.

You're fortunate to have fished there, I've never had that opportunity. 
With respect to hall-of-famers (bass 13 lbs & up), Kingsley has no equal.

It produced several over 15 lbs in the past 5 yrs alone.

 

Roger
 

[geo g]

Okeechobee is a tough lake to fish if your not on the lake often.  Right now it is dangerously low with a lot of rock areas that take out lower units on careless boaters.  The lake seldom looks the same with vegetation in areas without it months ago, and floating mats that move around.  Spraying has killed off large amounts in other areas.  I suggest a guided trip especially if you have never been out there before.  Once in the main body, its like being in the ocean.  Also boat lanes can get the novice lost and disoriented.  Lastly, because the lake is so big and shallow, a strong wind can blow water out of one side of the lake into the opposite side.  So areas good one day, can be too low a day later.  Dangerous for the novice!